What does the Bible say about cremation?

The Bible never directly commands or forbids cremation. Burial is the most common practice in Scripture—Abraham buries Sarah, Joseph's bones are carried out of Egypt, and Jesus Himself is buried in a tomb—but cremation is not condemned as sinful.

A few Old Testament passages describe bodies being burned, sometimes as judgment (Achan in Joshua 7) and sometimes for practical reasons (1 Samuel 31, where Saul and his sons are burned and then their bones buried). These are descriptive accounts, not commands.

What matters most to God is the heart, not the method of disposing of the body. The same Creator who formed Adam from dust is fully able to raise believers whether they were buried, lost at sea, martyred by fire, or cremated.

Christians should make this decision prayerfully, considering family wishes, cultural context, and stewardship of finances. Whatever choice you make, take comfort in the promise that for those who belong to Christ, the resurrection body is guaranteed.